LETTER: UA system has some explaining to do

Published: Monday, July 1, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 30, 2013 at 11:46 p.m.

Dear Editor: The Tuscaloosa News is to be commended for the editorial that ran in the June 14 issue.

The essence of the editorial addressed the failure of Chancellor Robert Witt and the university board of trustees to provide a satisfactory explanation for the $535,000 payment to former President Guy Bailey.

There continue to be issues that are never explained. Nor does it appear that either the board or Witt believe that they need to provide any explanations. They behave as if they are not accountable to anyone.

The recent hiring of Josiah Bonner and paying him $350,000 is another questionable action. The reasons given for his hire fail to be satisfactory. The job he allegedly has been hired to do is very vague and ambiguous.

There are certainly questions about the legality of hiring him. Was the job advertised? When and where was the advertisement? Was there a job description before the hiring? Did others have the opportunity to apply? Were they interviewed? Why not? Is Bonner a permanent employee? If he is permanent, then federal law requires that the job be advertised and allows for others to apply and be interviewed.

The relevant federal law is the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, and it became law to prevent this kind of cronyism. It might be well to notify the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission about this hire. Those making these decisions need to be held accountable to those of us who help pay the bills. People should be outraged with what is going on in Tuscaloosa.

<p>Dear Editor: The Tuscaloosa News is to be commended for the editorial that ran in the June 14 issue. </p><p>The essence of the editorial addressed the failure of Chancellor Robert Witt and the university board of trustees to provide a satisfactory explanation for the $535,000 payment to former President Guy Bailey. </p><p>There continue to be issues that are never explained. Nor does it appear that either the board or Witt believe that they need to provide any explanations. They behave as if they are not accountable to anyone.</p><p>The recent hiring of Josiah Bonner and paying him $350,000 is another questionable action. The reasons given for his hire fail to be satisfactory. The job he allegedly has been hired to do is very vague and ambiguous. </p><p>There are certainly questions about the legality of hiring him. Was the job advertised? When and where was the advertisement? Was there a job description before the hiring? Did others have the opportunity to apply? Were they interviewed? Why not? Is Bonner a permanent employee? If he is permanent, then federal law requires that the job be advertised and allows for others to apply and be interviewed.</p><p>The relevant federal law is the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, and it became law to prevent this kind of cronyism. It might be well to notify the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission about this hire. Those making these decisions need to be held accountable to those of us who help pay the bills. People should be outraged with what is going on in Tuscaloosa.</p>